Lamp shade having shade material secured to frame by means of stiff but flexible strips



April 15,1952

Filed July 31, 1947 B. J. COHON 2,593,272 LAMP SHADE HAVING SHADEMATERIAL SECURED TO FRAME BY MEANS OF STIFF BUT FLEXIBLE STRIPS 2SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR BENJAMIN J. COHON ATTORNEY April 15, 1952 B. J.COHON 2,593,272 LAMP SHADE HAVING SHADE MATERIAL SECURED TO FRAME BYMEANS OF STIFF BUT FLEXIBLE STRIPS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.BE/VJfl/Yl/V J. COHO/V Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE LAMP SHADE HAVING SHADE MATERIAL SECURED TO FRAME BY MEANS OFSTIFF BUT FLEXIBLE STRIPS This invention relates to lampshades andparticularly to lampshades of the type wherein a cloth or othershade-body is stretched over a wire or other frame.

Various means for securing the shade-body on the frame have been usedand proposed for use, but all of them have been subject to variousdrawbacks, the most important of which have been the necessity of manyhand operations in the assembly of the shade and the use of a largeamount of highly skilled labor in the production thereof. Otherdifiiculties include difiiculty in obtaining uniformity of stretch,difliculty in obtaining evenness of the disposition of the fabric,insecurity of mounting the shade-body, and the expense of requiredmaterials.

The present invention avoids the foregoing and other difficulties by theprovision of a greatly improved type of securin means, which, whileexceedingly simple in construction, mounts the shade-body firmly andefiectively in place and can be provided and put in place with theutmost ease. In accordance with the invention securing means in the formof one or more strips of stiff but flexible material are provided at theedges of the shade-body, the strips and the shadebody being so formedand associated that the shade-body will lie against one side of theframe (more commonly the outside) and the strips will lie against theother side of the frame (more commonly the inside) and will hold theshadebody smoothly, tightly, and firmly on the frame. In various of itsmore specific aspects the invention contemplates the provision of one ormore strips each having an arcuate or otherwise curved edgecorresponding to the edge of one of the top or bottom openings of theshade, the cutting of such strips out of flat material with curved edgesso that the strip when fitted inside the top or bottom opening in theshade will conform to the shape of and lie smoothly against the frame,the attachment of the strips to the shade-body in especially desirableways and in one or more desirable positions, the duplication ofshade-bodies in certain instances, and the use of certain types ofmaterials and of certain arrangements of parts in the formation of theshade.

The strips when affixed to the outer edge of the upper and lower arcs ofthe shade form inverted cuffs which, because of the flexibility of thestrips, may be turned backward and inward from the shade material whichis in the shape of a sleeve. The stiff cuff material then forms arelatively rigid band which tends not to deviate from its positionbecause of its curve. It stretches the shade material to the desiredshape thereof and at the same time covers both the top arid bottom ringsof the frame so that no other binding is necessary in order to completethe shade, tho ornamentation of any of a variety of types may beprovided when desired. The time and cost of production are greatlyreduced.

The strips may be formed of a wide variety of types of material.Examples of these are plasticized papers (e. g. resin-impregnatedpaper), cellulose acetate and like heavy flexible resin films,parchmentized papers (e. g. heavy oiled paper), leather, leatherette,stifiened buckram, plasticized cloth, cardboard, starched cloth, heavycanvas, duck, thin flexible plywood, fiber board, and flexibleplasticized fiber glass. The thickness of the strips may varyconsiderably, depending somewhat. on the size of the shade. Leather andleatherette such as used in ordinary hat-band, may be employed, forinstance. In the following list there are given point-thicknesses inwhich strips of desirable materials may be effectively used in threecommon shade sizes:

Shade Sizes (diameter of top and bottom openings in inches) 4% x 8 86x1213 x 19 Shade Materials:

Plasticized paper, plasticized cloth, plasticized fibreglass, fibreboard, cellulose acetate films 5-15 7-15 10-20 Stiifened cloth(starched, etc),

buckram 8-20 10-22 12-30 Parchmentized paper, cardboard 7-15 10-16 12-40Leather, leatherette, etc 18-40 20-45 32-55 Heavyvlnyl acetate (acopolymer of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl chloride), polyethylene,and like films 12-20 15-35 18-40 In its preferred form, however, theinvention contemplates the use of materials in thicknesses wherein thetendency to tear is effectively minimized, and which provides a firm,certain, holding-action. For such use the thicknesses in the Theshade-body may be formed of a wide variety of materials ranging fromordinary cloth to stretchable solidified-plastic films such as vinylacetate androther solidified plastic films on which have been laminatedunidirectional fibers or threads of stretchable material such as rayon,nylon, or cotton, for example.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, and the severalsteps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps withrespect to each of the others thereof, all of which will be exemplifiedhereinafter and the scope of the application of which will be indicatedin the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a lampshadeembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a reduced-scale view of the shade-body of Fig. 1 in blankform;

Fig. 3 is a view of the securing-strips of Fig. 1 in blank-form;

Fig. 4 shows the shade-body and securingstripsin assembled relationship;

Fig. 5 shows, on a slightly larger scale, the assembly of Fig. 4 formedand fastened in frustoconical shape;

Fig. 6 shows the assembly of Fig. 5 in the process of being nested overa frame;

' Fig. 7 is a view of the assembly in the process of being secured onthe frame;

Fig. 8 is a large-scale fragmentary sectional view along the line 8-8 ofFig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a lampshade havingsecuring-strips formed from somewhat different material;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a shade wherein the lower securingstrip is difierently-secured to the shade-body; Fig. 10a is a similarview showing a fragment of the shade of Fig. 10 on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 10b is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a step in the formation ofthe shade of Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional viewof a shade of modified shape andconstruction;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a shade having duplicated shade-bodieseach held by asecuring striponly at its bottom end; Fig. 12a is asimilar view showing a fragment of the shade of Fig. 12 on an enlargedscale; and

Fig. 12b is another similar view showing an-' other fragment of theshade of Fig. 12 on an enlarged scale.

In the form of construction exemplified in Figs. 1-8 the lampshadecomprises a frame l2 of frusto-conical shape composed of an upperannular wire l3 defining an opening which is four and one-half inches indiameter, a lower annular wire l4 defining an opening which is eightinches in diameter, andsloping connecting wires I5. While this type offrame is conventional and generally desirable for use, it will be fromFig. 2, is a single piece of material. It is formed in the presentinstance of stretchable cloth in the form of a vinyl acetate film havingunidirectional rayon fibers laminated thereon. The lateral edge-portionsI! and I8 of the shadebody are united by stitching H! or otheradheringmeans. As shown in Fig. 1 the shade-body is stretched over theframe so that its top and bottom portions respectively lie partly, orpreferably wholly over the top and bottom wires. The material of whichthe shade-body is composed may have more or less stretchabilitydepending on the requirements of a particular case, but, other thingsbeing equal, it is desirable that it be readily stretchable and be cutshorter than the distance over which it will extend when the securingstrips are in place. 7

The shade-body is, in the present instance, mounted on the frame with ahigh degree of security, but at the same time with easy removability, byupper and lower strips 20 and 2|, respectively, which, pursuant to theinvention, are formed of stiff but flexible material such, for example,as plasticized paper, of a thickness of about nine points, or one of theother types of material indicated above. The upper and lower arcuateedge portions 22 and 23 of the shade-body I6 are secured respectively tothe upper edge portion of the strip 20 and the lower edge portion of thestrip 2| as lay-stitching 19 or other suitable means, so as to give agood adhesion without excessive spacing of the points of adhesion and atthe same time to allow. easy flexibility. The central portion and theremaining edge portion of each strip lies firmly and permanently insidethe frame, and the fastened edge portions of the strips project justenough for the easy application of the stitching or other fasteningmeans when applied. The strips may, of course, be extended furtherupwardly or downwardly for ornamental or other purposes but this is byno means essential. The strips 20 and 2| thus form turnedover cuffs atthe ends of the sleeve'provided by the shade-body l6. 7

If desired, ornamentation, as, for example, the

lace-work strips 25, may be provided to cover theupper and/or lowerstitching or for other suitable purposes.

In the formation of the shade of Fig. 1, pieces with arcuate top andbottom edges and with lateral edge portions defined by converging'linesare cut as from cloth to provide the shade-body blank as in Fig. 2, andas from stiff flexible material to provide the strips shown in Fig. 3.The

blank for the shade-body I6 is laid .over the strips 20 and 2| as shownin Fig. 4; and the upper portion'of the shade-bodystitched to the upperportion of the upper strip 20, and .the lower portion of the shade-bodystitched tothe lower portion of the lower strip. 2|. Either before, orpreferably, after the strips are stitched on, the assembly is bentaround so that the lat-- eral edges .l! and I8 meet, and these are thenfastened together as by the stitching |'9 (Fig; 5)

The strips 20 and 2| may bebent outwardly before, after, or duringthe'nesting of'the frame in the shade-body assembly. In the presentinstance this is done first, and, the shaped assembly is then dropped,over the frame |2, as shown in Fig. 6, whereupon the strips may be bentover behind the wires. Preferably the upper and lower strips are'bentovertogether, as shown in Fig. 7,.s.o that they. will simultaneouslydispose themselves in the permanent positionwhere they hold theshade-body stretched over the frame, but other types of assembly actionsmay be employed where desirable. Even if the stiff material developslateral tears at this stage, the tough qualities of the parchmentized orplasticized papers, buckram, leatherette, or the like, will, if thetears are not unduly multiplied, enable them to hold their shape andposition, so that the reduced holding action will still be sufficient tohold the shade-body stretched and in place. Substantial continuity ofarcuate stripportions of substantial length is, however, important.

Fig. 8 shows the shade of Fig. 1 in cross section.

In Fig. 9 there is exemplified an arrangement wherein buckram strips areemployed as at 20' instead of parchmentized-paper strips. As will beseen the basic principles of the construction are substantially similar,as they are for other types of strips employed in accordance with theinvention.

A very great degree of ease in applying the shade, and, for that matter,in removing and replacing it if necessary, is thus made possible; and atthe same time there is provided a shade which is exceedingly strong,durable, and attractive. In addition, great economies may be effected bythe employment of the constructions and procedures of the invention.

Various changes may be made in the construction just exemplified withoutdeparting from the invention. For example, it is not necessary that thesecuring means at both the top and bottom of the shade be in the form ofstrips, although this is desirable. Similarly, the strips may befastened to the shade-body in various relationships other than that ofFig. 4. For example, and particularly when the strips are to be bentinto large openings, the strips may be so fastened to the shade-bodythat they will be turned inside-out when bent over. A shade having abottom strip so fastened is shown in Fig. 10, and the relationship ofthe strip to the shade-body is shown in Fig. 10a. In thisexemplification there is provided a shade-body [6a to which an upperstrip 20a is secured, like the strip 20, against the inside of theshade-body. Desirably, where the shade-body is formed of a film on whichstrands are laminated, the side formed of the fibres or threads is usedas the inside of the shade-body and the side formed of the film is usedas the outside of the shade-body. In the present instance, the lowerstrip 2m, instead of being secured against the inside of the shade-body,like the strip 2|, is secured against the outside of the shade-body andextends beyond the same, as shown in Fig. 101), and is fastened thereto,as by stitching, on a line 26. ornamentation 25a is provided at theupper and lower edges as in the case of the shade of Fig. 1. In order topositively assure against accidental displacement of the strips 20a and21a during shipment or use, staples 21 or other fastening means may beapplied at spaced points to bind the strips and the shade-body to eachother and "or to the frarrze after the shade has been fully mounted onthe frame. The strip Zia provides a smoother finish than the strips 28,iii, and 256, but the strip 2 la tends to fit less readily inside theframe. Though differently secured, the strips 2! and 20. both formeffective cuffs on the sleeve itand i201. res irectively.

A cufi such as provided by the strip Zia may be employed both at the topand bottom of the frame; In Fig. 11 there is shown a vertical-sidedframe l2b, which may be a twelve-inch frame.

The top and the bottom strips 20b and 2lb are both fastened on theoutside of the shade-body in a manner similar to the way the strip 2| ais fastened. As will be seen, the exemplified strips are secured inseries with the shade-body (to use an electrical analogy), it beingdesirable in most instances that the strips overlie the shadebody to asubstantial extent when first secured thereto. However, in accordancewith the invention in its broader aspects, the strips may be initiallysecured in other relationships to the shadebody, and still giveeffective results in many instances. In the present instanceornamentation 25b is provided at the lower edge of the share, but theupper edge is merely covered by binding 28. I

Many other modifications are possible. It is sometimes desirable that afabric securing means, as for example a second shade-body, serve as oneof the securing means; the particular one depend ing on the needs of aparticular case. In Fig.- 12 there is shown arrangement whereby a fabricextension serves as the upper securing means. In the present instancethis fabric extension is continued downwardly inside the frame and isitself secured by a stiff flexible strip at the bottom, giving in effecttwo shade-bodies, one outside the frame and secured at its bottom by astiff flexible strip which is bent over against the inside of the frame,and the other inside the frame and secured at its bottom by anotherstiif flexible strip which is bent over to lie outside the outershadebody. Each of the shade-bodies is secured at top by being adheredto the other shade-body. In Fig. 12 the outer shade-body [6c is similarto the shade-body l6 and is similarly mounted at its lower end by astiff flexible strip 2 [0. The inner shade-body 16d may be formed of thesame material as the outer shade-body but in the present instance isformed of woven cotton cloth. It is secured at its lower end by a stiffflexible strip Zld which is secured like the strip 2|, and may be bentover the outside of the outer shade-body after the latter has been putin place. The two shade-bodies are united at their upper ends as bystitching 30, and, thus, each serves as the upper securing means for theother. ornamentation 25d is provided over the strip 21d, and binding 28dis provided on the line where the fabric which forms the shade-bodies isbent over the upper wire of the frame.

Since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth and incarrying out the above method, and different embodiments of theinvention may be provided without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A lampshade comprising a frame, shade material lying taut against oneside of said frame, means to secure said material on the lower edge ofsaid frame, and means to secure said material on the upper edge of saidframe, said securing means cooperating to hold the material taut, and atleast one of said securing means comprising a stiif but flexible striphaving an edge portion secured to an edge portion of the shade materialand extending substantially continuously and uninterruptedly along theother side of said frame substantially parallel to the shade material,the

other edge portion of the strip being free and unsecured.

2. A lampshade comp-rising a frame having a generally frusto-conicalcontour, shade material lying against said frame, means to secure saidmaterial at the lower edge of'said frame, and means to secure saidmaterial at the upper edge of said frame, at least one of said securingmeans comprising a strip of stiff flexible material lying smoothlywithin the frame near one of said edges, with the strip lyingsubstantially entirely fiat on one side of the frame parallel to theshade material and conforming generally to frustum of a cone, said-stripbeing secured to said material at one edge portion of said strip and theremainder of said strip being substantially free and unsecured.

3. A lampshade comprising a frame, a shade body formed of tightlystretched stretchable material and disposed on one side of said frame,

-means to stretch said shade-body over the lower edge of said frame andsecure it in place, and means to stretch said shade-body over the upperedge of said frame and secure it in place, at least one of said securingmeans comprising a relatively-stifi flexible strip lying substantiallyparallel to the shade-body on the other side of said vframe adjacent theshade-body and having an edge portion of said shade-body secured to anedge portion thereof so that the shade-body will be stretched over theedge of the frame and secured firmly thereon, the other edge of thestrip being so shaped that its major edges will be arcuate if the stripis laid flat and being free and unsecured.

4. A lampshade comprising a frame, shade material taut on said frame,and means to secure said material on said frame and comprising a pair ofstiff but flexible strips each extending substantially continuously anduninterruptedly along an edge-portion of said frame substantiallyparallel to the shade material on the opposite side from said shadematerial and holding the shade material tight on the frame, each striphaving an edge portion secured to said material and another edge portionfree and unsecured.

5. A lamp shade as set forth in claim 1 wherein the frame compriseswires surrounding upper and lower frame openings, wherein the upper andlower securing means are provided by stiff but flexible strips removablydisposed inside respective ones of said wires, and wherein the saidmaterial is in the form of a sleeve disposed substantially outside saidwires.

6. A lamp shade as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said securingmeans comprises a stiff but flexible strip having an edge portionsecured to an edge portion of the shade material and extendingsubstantially continuously and uninterruptedly along the other side ofsaid frame sub stantially parallel to the shade material, the other edgeportion of each of said strips being free and unsecured.

7. A lamp shade as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strip constitutesone of said securing means and the other of said securing meanscoinprises the shade material itself.

8. An article of manufacture adapted-for application to a lamp shadeframe comprising shade material adapted to lie taut against one side ofthe frame, means to secure said material on the upper edge of the frame,means to secure said material against the lower edge of said frame, saidsecuring means being adapted to cooperate to hold the material taut, andat least one of said securing means comprising a stiff but flexiblestrip having an edge portion secured to an edge portion of said shadematerial and adapted to extend substantially continuously anduninterruptedly along the other side of the frame substantially parallelto the shade material, the strip having sufficient stiffness to maintainitself in position without additional securing means.

"BENJAMIN J. COHON.

REFERENCES CITED I The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Brockman Mar. 9, 1-948

